Portugal and Nigeria won their final Group B matches to reach the last
16 of the Under-20 World Cup on Thursday, while third-place South Korea
still has a chance of advancing.
Portugal striker Bruma scored his fourth and fifth goals of the event
to help the two-time champions beat Cuba 5-0 and top the group, while
Nigeria defeated South Korea 1-0 after an early goal by Olarenwaju
Kayode and overtook the Asians for second place.
Ricardo, Aladje and To Ze also found the net for Portugal, while Bruma
almost added a sixth when his thundering 20-meter (yard) effort hit the
top of the crossbar.
It was Portugal's biggest ever win in the competition, improving on 3-0
defeats of Argentina in 1991 and the Netherlands four years later.
Portugal won the title in 1989 and '91 and finished runner-up to Brazil
two years ago. Cuba, which lost all three games and became the first
team to be eliminated, was making its first appearance in the
tournament.
Nigeria secured its victory after Kayode was left unmarked by the South
Korean defense and headed home a free kick by captain Abdul Ajagun in
the ninth minute.
South Korea, which held Portugal to a 2-2 draw Monday, dominated play
for large parts of the second half but lacked creativity in attack.
The best four teams to finish third in the six groups will advance to
the knockout stage, along with all the group winners and runners-up.
In the last matches of Group A, the United States was taking on Ghana
and Spain was playing France later Thursday. Spain won its two previous
matches and has already secured its spot in the next round
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